The Modern Home: How to Build for Convenience and Efficiency

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Designing a home for today’s technologically advanced world requires considering more than just floor layout and wall color. While those aspects certainly remain important, homeowners should also think about how connected and environmentally friendly their home will be. If you’re designing a new home, here are four tips to help you build something that’s truly modern.

1. Build With Smart Devices From the Outset

Connectivity is quickly expanding beyond computer screens and cell phones, as the Internet of Things (IoT) brings many devices online. Thermostats, lights, appliances, locks and more can all be brought online, which allows users to manage the communication between home technology and their personal devices remotely.

Design a home to be smart from the outset, installing smart devices wherever possible. You’ll find the latest devices more convenient to use, and building with them from the outset will reduce future upgrade costs. In many cases, it’s easier to install a smart device when building than to replace a device with a smart one later on.

2. Upgrade Your Home’s Electrical System

As people use more and more electronic devices, the average electrical demand on a home is steadily increasing. This has long been the case, as homes today are built with more extensive electrical systems than they were 50 years ago. The pace of increase will likely only accelerate as electronic devices come into virtually every aspect of life.

Make sure your home’s electrical system isn’t just ready to meet today’s needs, but that it will also be capable of handling tomorrow’s demands. This includes both the electrical box and wiring, as well as the outlets. In many cases, it’s a good idea to install extra outlets so that you have plenty of places to plug in devices in the future.

3. Consider Alternative Energy Options

To further improve your new home’s environmental friendliness, consider taking advantage of the alternative energy options that are available. Solar panels are increasingly common on roofs and in side yards. Geothermal heating is another effective energy source in some areas. Both of these and other technologies have become much more advanced in recent years, and they can be extremely effective in the right situations.

Talk with your builder and an energy specialist about the alternative energy options that might make sense for your new home. There are many factors to consider that a homebuilder and an energy specialist can guide you through during the decision process.

4. Install Energy-Efficient Windows

Windows might seem low-tech when compared to all the other suggestions listed here. However, Glass and window technology is quite advanced, and today’s energy-efficient windows are quite adept at insulating. Considering windows are one of the main places a home’s energy escapes, this is an insulating upgrade that will pay dividends. Install energy-efficient windows, and you’ll be saving money every time you turn on the heat or air conditioning.

While designing your new home, give thought to these modern upgrades while considering other facets such as floor plan and decor. Incorporate some or all of these tips into your home’s design from the outset, and you’ll be pleased that the house is well made both for the present and the future.